Human computer inter and usability
Each day, we use the Internet on our personal computers and mobile devices to access information and purchase goods. Websites often have their own mobile form factor while others maintain the same Website user experience, creating challenges when trying to use navigation, overcome errors, search, and complete the most mundane tasks. For this assignment, you are to review a website as well as a Mobile Site. For example, you would evaluate Amazon.com on Microsoft Edge (PC) and Amazon.com on your iPhone using Safari. Conducting a heuristic evaluation (self-evaluation), you will write an assessment on each Website answering the following questions:
What Website did you evaluate?
What industry does the company participate in?
Looking at the online website, address three issues that require revision? For each issue, please provide a screenshot and explicitly mark why you feel this issue is problematic.
Looking at the online website, how would you suggest that the issues requiring revision are corrected based on what you have learned in the class so far?
Moving to the mobile site, compare those same three features. Did you find the user experience to be problematic or better suited for the mobile form factor?
With the mobile site, how would you enhance the experience for those same issues you found on the Website to be problematic.
Sample Solution
Website: Target.com (evaluated using Chrome on a desktop computer)
Industry: Retail (department stores)
Website Issues:
- Search Bar Placement:
- Problem: The search bar is located towards the top center of the page, blending in with the overall design. This placement might not be immediately obvious to users accustomed to search bars being in the top left corner of the webpage.
Full Answer Section
- Solution: Target could increase the visibility of the search bar by either:
- Placing it in the top left corner, a more standard location.
- Highlighting it with a contrasting color or border to make it stand out.
- Information Overload on Product Pages:
- Problem: Product pages display a lot of information, including product details, reviews, frequently asked questions, and recommendations. While this information can be valuable, it can overwhelm users and make it difficult to find specific details quickly.
- Solution: Target could improve the organization of information on product pages by:
- Using tabs or collapsible sections to separate different information categories.
- Prioritizing key details like price, color options, and product dimensions at the top of the page.
- Confusing Checkout Process:
- Problem: The checkout process requires users to create an account or sign in before proceeding. This extra step can be a barrier for users who want to make a quick purchase without creating an account.
- Solution: Target could offer a guest checkout option, allowing users to purchase items without creating an account. They could also streamline the login process by offering social login options.
- Improved Navigation: The mobile app's navigation menu can be cluttered with categories. Implementing a more user-friendly navigation system with clear categories and subcategories would enhance the user experience.
- Image Loading Optimization: Optimizing product image loading times would improve app responsiveness and user experience, especially on slower internet connections.